Safeguarding: Harmful Sexual Behaviour

Harmful sexual behaviour

Harmful sexual behaviour can be indicative of underlying safeguarding concerns; children who exhibit harmful sexual behaviour are likely to have experienced abuse or trauma themselves, such as:

Physical abuse

Emotional abuse

Sexual abuse

Severe neglect

Parent rejection

Family breakdown

Domestic violence

Parental drug and alcohol abuse.

Harmful sexual behaviour can/may:

Cause developmental damage

Occur between children of any age and gender

Involve individuals or groups, targeting other individuals or groups

Occur online and/or offline

Be progressive and escalate.

See the NSPCC website or Brook - Traffic Light Tool for more information on what is considered healthy or normal sexual behaviour, categorised by age, to help professionals identify what may be harmful and how to respond.